Review: Man-Eaters of Kumaon

Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett

A review

Man-Eaters of Kumaon is a collection of Jim Corbett?s hunting adventures penned by the remarkable personality himself.

The fact that Jim Corbett?s talents with the pen rival his shooting skills is well-known. However, this review is about certain other personal observations. One, the humility of the man is as much responsible for a pleasurable read as the excitement and thrill of the nature of the adventures. Jim Corbett?s objective description of facts and situations and his unabashed admissions only makes the reader respect this legendary hunter even more. Two, his love for India and her people has been documented and is evident, but its reciprocation in the respect and love he received from the people he saved from the dangers of man-eaters add warmth to the stories.

Finally, an anti-climax. What struck me in a negative manner as I read the stories was the how little was the value of the lives of majestic and beautiful wild animals for Corbett. This was not just about the dangerous man-eaters but stretched to other beasts as well. Even superstitions are cited as reasons good enough to justify the taking of a life. The casual manner in which certain other killings took place makes one sad and even shocked at times. Perhaps, it is an example of the values of a by-gone era and how values change with time.